Apparel belt



`May 2, 1939. J. R. CRAIGHEAD APPAREL BELT Filed May 9, 1938 Patented May 2, 1939 ENT FFCE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparel belts.

An object of the invention is to provide, in a belt of this character, an inner pocket of a novel type that is not detectable from the outside, for the reception of valuable articles.

Another object is the provision of a container or envelope of novel construction, that is adapted to be readily inserted and withdrawn from the pocket.

Other objects and advantages reside in details of design and construction which will be more fully disclosed in the following description and in the drawing wherein like parts have been similarly designated and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary inner surface View of a belt made according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing parts of the belt in another position;

Figure 3 is a detail view of a container envelope for the improved belt;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View along line 4 4 of Figure 2, and drawn on a larger scale; and

Figure 5 is a detail View of an article folded to be placed in the pocket of the belt.

In the drawing reference character I denotes a belt for personal Wear, preferably made of leather, fabric or the like, having an end portion IIJa that is folded through and around an ordinary belt-buckle I2 and that is secured thereto by rivets I3. The end Illa laps back on the belt I0.

In the end portion Illa, is a fastening, such as a friction snap-button I4 that normally holds the end of the belt tightly closed over a pocket I that is formed by sewing a piece of leather, cloth or the like onto the inner surface of the belt I I), along lines I6. A cooperative part I4a of the snap-button is on pocket I5. The end I5a of the pocket, that is adjacent the buckle and normally under the end Illa, is open while the opposite end is sewed closed as shown.

A container for articles to be carried in the pocket is provided, such as a flexible transparent envelope I1 that is sewed across each end at I'Ia and which has a tab I8 sewed thereon, The tab may be made of flexible material such as leather, cloth or the like. The envelope is adapted to slide into the open end I5a of the pocket I5, with the tab I8 projecting therefrom, and to be closed therein by the end Illa, of the belt held by the snap-button I4. This arrangement is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. Obviously, the envelope I'I may be made of any suitable material other than that illustrated. It is preferably made of one sheet of material folded and closed at its ends and of a length to slide into the pocket to the closed end thereof with the tab I 8 projecting from the pocket. The material illustrated presents a smooth surface that facilitates easy sliding of the envelope 5 in or out of the pocket.

The end Illa of the belt with its snap-button I4, or other type of fastening, securely holds the envelope and contents within the pocket, and when the contents are to be removed, the beltend Ia may be unfastened and bent up as shown in Figure 2, whereupon the flexible tab I8 is accessible to withdraw the envelope I1 with its contents, from the pocket. Paper money or other valuable articles may be folded as shown in Figure 5, for placement in the envelope I'I. If the envelope is made of transparent material, as illustrated, the contents thereof are readily seen and selected for removal by the owner when wanted.

When valuable articles are in the belt-pocket and the belt is being worn, they are safe from loss or unauthorized tampering and from theft. The arrangement disclosed provides most convenient accessibility to the pocket and its contents, by the owner. The pocket does not show from the outside face of the belt and is not conspicuous even from the inner Side.

The provision of the closing end I0a for the pocket, as an integral part and continuation of the belt I0, is an advantageous economic factor in the production of a belt according to this invention, and the pocket positioned lengthwise of the belt may be made long enough to receive valuable papers or other relatively long and narrow articles. The carrying envelope I1 adds to the convenience and safety of the combination.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an apparel belt, a longitudinal pocket along an inner surface of the belt, having a slot-like opening transverse to its length, an envelope slidable through said opening, and a flap composed of an end of the belt, folded inwardly and normally overlapping said opening.

2. An apparel belt having a longitudinal pocket open at one end, at the inner surface of the belt, an end-portion of the belt adjacent said pocket open end, being folded back thereover forming a closure for the pocket.

3. An apparel belt having a longitudinal pocket open at one end, at the inner surface of the belt, an end-portion of the belt adjacent said pocket open end, bein-g folded back thereover forming a closure for the pocket, and a fastening positioned to selectively hold said end portion over the pocket opening.

JOHN R. CRAIGHEAD. 

